FYI -

The problem has been diagnosed as the Idle Speed Control Motor. they are $600 here in Australia, but I'm having one sent over from the UK for $288 (australian) :D

I noticed when I started the car up for the first time on Saturday, when its sitting there idling it seems to miss a beat every now and then.. and also the "Check Engine" light is coming on... Hmmmm Maybe the mechanic might be able to find out whats going on with it now?

Nope.

so the engine management light is coming on whilst driving?

OK, Got the new Coolant temp sensor fitted... didnt fix it.

Any other ideas?

200.00 AUD = 84.3043 GBP
Australia Dollars United Kingdom Pounds

:lol: he did say "off the top of his head" - maybe thats what holden charge for the part + installation. (he did say that Holden charge like wounded bulls)

200 dollars:lol::lol: erm.. thats about 100 pounds which is about 150 euros?

em... that sensor should cost no more than 20-25 pounds...

Had my friend whos a holden Mechanic take alook at the car today, he says the problem would be the Coolant Temp Sensor, he said that they get covered in crap and cant measure properly. The car would be thinking its colder than what it is, so there for trying to pump more fuel through the engine and flooding its self - thus the not starting or stalling.

He said the Sensor costs about $200 (that was off the top of his head, but hes not sure) and it will cost me a carton of beer to get him to put it in and clean the raditor out one weekend.

Up until then he said just to let it warm up of a morning.. it wont hurt it.

mine is doing the same mate, i live about 1 hour west of sydney so its pretty cold in the morning. my yota hates it. have to climb a fucking steep hill as soon as i leave in the morning, and every morning about half way up it hesitates then picks up again. Wouldnt worry about it.

99% of the time it goes great.. the other 1% when you take off from an intersection it seems like its flooded, because its sluggish - but thats a different story..

But yeah, once warmed up it goes fine.

Carso, how is it once its warmed up?

The docs said you can... but it doesnt hurt.

nah you not suppose to start the engine with the short inplace...

OK, code is continously 12.

When I actually start the engine though, thats a different story - it just flashes quickly and without pauses.

12 is the pre code... the actual fault code should flash after this... it normal flashes the pre code 3 times and then the fault code 3 time and then the pre code(12) 3 times again...

Ahh ok.. yeah the mechanic did something like that and it only reported "code 12" but I might have to give it ago see what I get.

no no have a read of this...

http://www.corsasport.co.uk/board/viewthread.php?tid=101080

Yeah it does take some time to start again..

what do you mean by the paper clip test? you mean like remove the sensor and short it with a paper clip?
... Where do I find the sensor exactly anyway?

does it take some time to start back up?... when you get it started try stabbing the trttle pedal... does it try to stall?

also the best way would be to do a paper clip test and this should give you the exact cause seen as your ecu light is coming on....

i'd be 95% positive that you collant temp sensor is faulty.... cost about 20-30 quid and you can fit in in about 20 minutes....

OK I've had the car at the Mechanics again, it the ECU is logging code 12, which means everything ok.

However, I've been thinking.
I am a computer technican by trade and over the past month we've had customers complaining about computers not operating properly in the mornings due to the cold.
So I'm thinking well.. the ECU *is* a computer, and sure it might be logging the code 12, but if the ECU is at fault then its possibly not going to be able to log a code of any discription if its playing up and the cars not starting.

So do you think its possible the ECU could be behind all this? - I'm hoping not because I believe they're expesnive right?

yeah the little orange "Check Engine" light comes on..

Your the 2nd one to suggest the coolant temp sensor.. how hard would that be to replace?

And what does the air mass meter do? - I've never heard of that.

It will be something like the air mass meter or the coolent temp sensor.... Does the ECU fault light come on at all?

The best way to warm the car up too is to drive it gently, leaving it going for a few minutes doesn't do too much, though it's good to get oil circulating and warm...

OK this is an annoying little problem that I want to get fixed up..

Now that its starting to get cold here (like about 4 degrees) around 8:30am when I'm heading off to work my car doesnt seem to like the cold weather all that much (it sits out on the street), It starts first time without any problems at all, then if I drive off without letting it sit for about 3 or 4 minutes to let it warm up, when I slow down to under 20Km/h as I approach the first intersection it stalls. And wont start again easily.

To save anyone asking - my car is '96 Corsa B (Known here in Australia as a Holden Barina SB)

Once I get it started again, I have to rev the shit out of it to keep it going otherwise it just stalls again. Once the car has had the chance to warm up it runs fine.

I had the 120,000KM service done a tad early hoping that it might fix the problem - but it didnt.

The car has got new spark plugs, new fuel filter, new air filter, new oil filter, correct anti-freeze..

Is there anything that would cause this problem? - as I assume its only going to get worse as it gets colder.